The Denver Broncos defense takes on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Dec. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, CA.

Going base

1. The 49ers’ use of two-tight end and two-back personnel meant a departure for the Broncos’ defense. They played their base package (three linemen/four linebackers) on San Francisco’s first 15 snaps, 18 of the first 19 and 23 of the first 25 snaps.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Will Parks (34) of the Denver Broncos crushes Nick Mullens (4) of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Dec. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif.

49ers against the blitz

2. The Broncos rushed five or more players at 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens on 17 of his 43 drop-backs (39.5 percent). Mullens had completions of 52 and 85 yards to tight end George Kittle, both touchdowns, against five-man pressures. The Broncos had three sacks with a four-man rush and one with a five-man rush.

Broncos against the blitz

3. San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh comes from the Pete Carroll-Gus Bradley Coaching Tree so we didn’t expect many blitzes. Saleh was slightly more aggressive than usual. The 49ers rushed five or more players on 14 of Case Keenum’s 50 drop-backs (28 percent). In Week 1, Carroll’s Seahawks were at 14.6 percent (6 of 41 drop-backs) against Denver and in Week 10, Bradley’s Chargers were at 8.6 percent (3 of 35).

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Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos lines up against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California.

Revenge of Shanahan

4. Terrific scheming by San Francisco coach/play-caller Kyle Shanahan throughout the first half. The first example: Pre-snap movement designed to get Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb into coverage and thus eliminate him as a pass rusher and edge-setting run-stopper. And, on the second drive, Chubb was assigned to Kittle on second-and-10 and was called for holding.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

George Kittle (85) of the San Francisco 49ers gobbles up yards after a catch at Levi’s Stadium Dec. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Kittle’s opening act

5. Kittle’s second big catch was 52 yards to end the first quarter. He started from right tight end, ran a four-yard out route, hit the brakes and then ran inside. Safety Darian Stewart played outside leverage and was out of position at that point. Stewart (Broncos’ 40) and cornerback Bradley Roby (Broncos’ 34) missed tackles. Chubb thwarted the drive three plays later when he pushed rookie right tackle Mike McGlinchey back for the sack in 2.07 seconds on a zone-read play.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

George Kittle (85) of the San Francisco 49ers is all alone on his way to the end zone at Levi’s Stadium Dec. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Kittle’s big TD

6. Kittle’s 85-yard touchdown catch (14 yards downfield) and run (untouched). An obvious coverage bust by the Broncos. Kittle hid behind the pass protection for an instant before running his “sail” route across the field. Linebackers Todd Davis and Josey Jewell both bit on the play-action and Davis pointed toward Kittle. Stewart and safety Justin Simmons chose to defend nobody and Kittle was wide open.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Dante Pettis (18) of the San Francisco 49ers makes the score 19-0 against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium Dec. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif.

First-half fiasco

7. The end of the first half was a fiasco. The Broncos took possession at their 21-yard line and 1:48 remaining. They went four-and-out and used only 41 seconds. San Francisco had plenty of time … and got plenty of help to score a touchdown. The walk of shame: Von Miller neutral zone infraction, Su’a Cravens pass interference, Zach Kerr offside, Miller neutral zone and Issac Yiadom pass interference. All in a span of nine plays from scrimmage. The 49ers capitalized by using the free yards and clock stoppages to make it 20-0.

Going for it

8. The Broncos went 5 of 7 on fourth down. A failed conversation was a play that was doomed from the hop. On fourth-and-3 from their 44, Phillip Lindsay got the carry and tried to run a stretch play to the right. But he was strung out and was six yards behind the line of scrimmage before knifing his way to a two-yard gain but well short of the marker. Converting a fourth-and-3 on the ground is a tough ask any back.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post

DaeSean Hamilton (17) of the Denver Broncos adds 6 more points in the second half at Levi’s Stadium Dec. 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Tick-tock goes the clock

9. The Broncos nearly bungled a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line situation in the fourth quarter and it cost them valuable clock time. Instead of using running back Royce Freeman to plow ahead for the touchdown, three consecutive Keenum passes were called (all incomplete). On fourth down, DaeSean Hamilton was freed up by a Courtland Sutton pick to catch the touchdown. But the Broncos needed 14 plays to move 59 yards and didn’t get the ball back until there were just 4 seconds left.

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